Protolabs expands US metal additive manufacturing capacity with four Colibrium M2 systems!

Protolabs has significantly expanded its US manufacturing capacity to meet rising domestic demand for metal additively manufactured parts. The company has installed four large-format, dual-laser Colibrium Additive M2 metal additive manufacturing systems, strengthening its Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) capabilities for complex, lightweight components used in medical device, aerospace, and defence applications.

The new machines were commissioned at Protolabs’ recently opened 11,000-square-metre facility in Raleigh, North Carolina. The site now houses nearly 40 PBF-LB machines and supports production capacity of more than 8,000 metal AM parts per month, positioning Protolabs to serve both rapid prototyping and end-use production at scale.

Alongside equipment investments, Protolabs has continued to expand its certification portfolio to support regulated industries. The company recently achieved ISO 13485 certification for its DMLS production facility serving medical device customers and AS9100D certification for aerospace manufacturing, enabling it to address a broader range of high-reliability applications.

Suresh Krishna, President and CEO of Protolabs, said the expansion reflects sustained customer demand and the company’s focus on investing in technologies that drive innovation and production readiness. Kenny Capps, Director of 3D Printing Manufacturing Operations, added that Protolabs’ combination of capacity, engineering expertise, speed, and quality continues to make it a preferred partner for customers moving from development to production in advanced manufacturing sectors.